Arsenal Transfer News: Arsene Wenger Must Commit on Promise to Spend

The midseason transfer period has been uneventful for Arsenal, but making a splash by the end of the month is in the best interest of the club—especially after manager Arsene Wenger’s promise to spend.

Wenger wants to keep the club’s pieces in place this year, and he also hopes to make some additions to the roster, as quoted by Mirror Football’s Alex Hankin from an interview with Al Jazeera Sport:

“My plan is to keep all of the players we have and then to add maybe, if possible, two new players to the squad. We will spend big (again) because we had restricted finances because we had built the stadium and had to pay that back.”

With Wenger’s admission that the club is ready to “spend big,” expectations are high for Arsenal to add substantial pieces to make a second-half push this year.

“It is important is that the club goes the right direction - we have a very young team who have fantastic qualities and [it is important] that I help them to get their qualities transformed into positive results.”

Those results, however, are what matters this season. If Wenger is unable to commit to spending by the end of the transfer window, the results may not be good enough to keep Arsenal fans happy.

Wenger has been patient during the midseason transfer period, due in part to his belief that Arsenal is a very good squad, as quoted by John Cross of Mirror Football:

“It has become more difficult for one simple reason: We have a good squad. I know we swim against the stream a bit because people don't believe that. I say we have a very good squad.”

Wenger’s confidence may be somewhat reassuring for Arsenal fans, but it doesn’t change the fact that the Gunners are 21 points back of the league lead and haven’t won a title seven years.

“Let's not forget that last year we finished third [in the Premier League], as long as that is seen as a disaster, it is not too bad for the future of the club.”

Regardless of Wenger’s desire (or perhaps lack of desire) to field a winner, he should make good on his promise to spend money to make Arsenal a better team for this year as well. After speaking publicly about money being available to spend in January, fans will expect to see it come to fruition.

Arsenal fans have been given just enough hope to believe the club can break through and make a push for a trophy, but Wenger must commit to making it happen by finding a way to spend that money to make his team better.